Wall mounted washing machine and water supply fittings thereof

ABSTRACT

A wall mounted washing machine and a water supply valve assembly thereof are provided to reduce the manufacturing costs required for assembly. The wall mounted washing machine includes a rear panel mounted on a wall; a tub supported on the rear panel, the tub being filled with wash water; a front panel having an opening formed therein and installed in the tub; a drum rotatably installed in the tub; a cover installed on the front panel to cover the front panel; a door rotatably coupled to the cover to open or close a laundry inlet of the cover; a cabinet coupled between the rear panel and the cover; and a water supply valve assembly installed on the front panel with respect to an inner lower space of the cabinet.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

The present disclosure claims benefit to Korean Patent Application No.10-2017-007 4646, filed on, Jun. 14, 2017, with inventor, Jong Jin Lee,which application is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a wall mounted washing machine andwater supply fittings thereof.

BACKGROUND

A washing machine is an appliance for separating contaminants fromwashed fabric (laundry) using wash water and detergent, wherein thecontaminants may be separated from the laundry by the chemical action ofthe detergent dissolved in the wash water and the mechanical action ofthe wash water and an inner basket. Such washing machines may becategorized into different types including a top loading type, a frontloading type, and a combined type that is combined with the top loadingtype and the front loading type, depending on the method of loading thelaundry.

In recent years, wall mounted washing machines have been introduced,which may be installed in narrow spaces, such as bathrooms and toilets.In general, the wall mounted washing machines employ the front loadingtype of machine for miniaturization.

For example, the wall mounted washing machine may include a cabinet thatforms an exterior, a tub provided in the cabinet filled with wash water,a drum rotatably installed in the tub and accommodating the laundry, adrive unit providing power to the drum, a water supply unit forsupplying wash water to the tub, and a drain unit for discharging washwater from the tub to the outside of the cabinet.

In the prior art, the wall-mounted washing machine also has a pluralityof pipe lines or electromagnetic valves installed for the respectivepipe lines for supplying detergent or conditioner to the inside of thetub at predetermined times.

For example, wall-mounted washing machines of the prior art are providedwith pipe lines for supplying a detergent liquid (made by mixingdetergent with water) to the inside of the tub, and pipe lines forsupplying conditioner liquid (made by mixing conditioner with water) tothe inside of the tub.

However, the wall-mounted washing machine of the prior art has adisadvantage in that the plurality of pipe lines are installedseparately, and therefore, there are a relatively large number ofpotential leakage points associated with the pipe lines.

In addition, in the washing machine of the prior art, because the innervolume of the casing is very narrow (as compared with that of thewashing machine of the top loading type), the additional installation ofcomponents that constitute the pipe lines is made very difficult, forinstance, installation of the tube and fitting arrangements is madedifficult.

In addition, in the wall-mounted washing machine of the prior art,because an end of the water supply hose corresponding to a pipe line isdirectly coupled to the hole of the installation structure, theinsertion depth to the end of the water supply hose is not constant, andthe coupling between the end of the water supply hose and the hole ofthe installation structure can be loose, which may lead to productfailures.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, embodiments of the present disclosure providea wall mounted washing machine and water supply fittings thereof,wherein a plurality of water supply pipes and control valves may beeasily installed, and the water supply pipes may be expanded andinstalled according to additional functions of the washing machine,thereby greatly increasing the quality of the washing machine, reducingthe manufacturing cost and solving the issue of an increase in costrequired for the assembling process.

More specifically, embodiments of the present invention are drawn to awall mounted washing machine, comprising: a tub supported on a rearpanel operable to be mounted on a wall, wherein the tub is operable tobe filled with wash water; a front panel mounted on the tub andcomprising a detergent container receiving unit disposed thereon; awater supply valve assembly disposed on the front panel and operable tocontrol a supply of water; fittings coupled between pipes extending fromthe water supply valve assembly and the detergent container receivingunit; and a detergent container accommodated in the detergent containerreceiving unit. Embodiments include the above and wherein the fittingscomprise: a first fitting for supplying a fluid fed through a first pipeof the water supply valve assembly to a detergent input space of thedetergent container; and a second fitting for supplying a fluid fedthrough a second pipe of the water supply valve assembly to thedetergent input space of the detergent container.

Embodiments include the above and wherein the water supply valveassembly comprises: a valve body installed on an extension of the frontpanel and having a plurality of fluid paths and a plurality of valvehousings; control valves installed in respective valve housings of saidplurality of valve housings; and a plurality of brackets coupled towalls of the valve housings, wherein each of the control valves isrespectively mounted on each bracket of said plurality of brackets.Embodiments also include the above and wherein the valve body comprises:bolt coupling units formed on walls of the plurality of valve housingsand wherein said bolt coupling units are operable to be coupled to boltsof the plurality of brackets. Embodiments include the above and whereineach of the plurality of brackets comprises: an extension plate havingan extension length corresponding to a height of a coil unit of thecontrol valve; a bracket plate bent at one end of the extension plate tobe perpendicular to the extension plate, and having a plurality of holescoinciding with bolt holes of the bolt coupling units and a centergroove coinciding with a valve shaft of the control valve; and acircular support plate bent at the other end of the extension plate tobe parallel to the bracket plate and having a smaller area as comparedwith the bracket plate.

An embodiment of the present invention also includes a wall mountedwashing machine, comprising: a tub supported on a rear panel, the tuboperable to contain wash water; a front panel mounted on the tub andhaving an detergent container receiving unit formed thereon; a drumrotatably installed in the tub; a cover disposed on the front panel toshield a front surface of the front panel; a door rotatably coupled withrespect to the cover to selectively open and close a laundry inlet ofthe cover; a water supply valve assembly disposed on the front panel tocontrol a supply of water; and fittings installed in the detergentcontainer receiving unit and connected to pipes extending from the watersupply valve assembly. Embodiments include the above and wherein thefittings comprise elbow type pipe members which are coupled between endsof the pipes and fitting holes and wherein the detergent containerreceiving unit is formed on an upper portion of the front panel anddetachably accommodates a detergent container.

Embodiments include the above and wherein the detergent containercomprises a detergent input space and a conditioner input space dividedwith respect to a diagonal partition wherein said detergent input spaceand said conditioner input space are operable to accommodate detergentand conditioner, respectively.

An embodiment of the present invention is also directed to, in a wallmounted washing machine comprising a tub supported on a rear paneloperable to be mounted on a wall; a front panel mounted on the tub andhaving a detergent container receiving unit formed thereon; a watersupply valve assembly disposed on the front panel to control a supply ofwater; and a detergent container accommodated in the detergent containerreceiving unit, mechanisms comprising: fittings coupled between pipesextending from the water supply valve assembly and the detergentcontainer receiving unit; wherein the fittings are configured toindividually supply water for each of a detergent input space and aconditioner input space in the detergent container. Embodiments includethe above and wherein the detergent container receiving unit comprises:a first fitting mounting unit protruding from one side of an uppersurface of the detergent container receiving unit with respect to aposition for supplying water to the detergent input space; and a secondfitting mounting unit protruding from the other side of the uppersurface of the detergent container receiving unit with respect to aposition for supplying water to the conditioner input space. Embodimentsinclude the above and wherein the first fitting mounting unit and thesecond fitting mounting unit comprises: fitting holes to which thefittings of the pipes are respectively coupled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of thepresent disclosure will be more clearly understood from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a wall mountedwashing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which the door of FIG. 1 is opened.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the washing machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the washing machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the front panel of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the front panel shown in FIG.5;

FIG. 7 is a front view enlarging a state in which a water supply valveassembly is installed on the front panel of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the water supply valve assemblyshown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the valve body of the water supply valveassembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the valve body of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the water supply valveassembly shown in

FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the single bracket shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front view in which a first control valve is coupled to thesingle bracket shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view for describing valve operations of awater supply valve assembly; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view for explaining the inside of a washingmachine having a drying unit according to an exemplary application ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the drawings.

In addition, in the description of the present disclosure, the detaileddescription of known functions and configurations incorporated hereinwill be omitted if they would unnecessarily obscure the features of thesubject matter of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a wall mountedwashing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which the door of FIG. 1 is opened,FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the washing machine of FIG. 1, andFIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the washing machine of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a wall-mounted washing machine 10 accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cabinet 100having a front surface and a rear surface opened and forming an outerappearance, a door 200 disposed on one side of the cabinet 100 and forselectively opening or closing the opened front surface of the cabinet100, a cover 300 connected to the door 200 for opening and closing thedoor 200, a front panel 400 disposed on the rear surface of the cover300, a detergent container 500 housed in one side of the front panel 400and accommodating detergent and conditioner, a drum 600 in which laundryis stored, a tub 700 which surrounds the drum 600 and is filled withwash water, and a rear panel 800 mounted on the wall. Here, the rearsurface, in various embodiments, means a surface close to the wall, andthe front surface means a surface opposite to the rear surface.

Specifically, the cabinet 100 may be provided in an empty form. Also,the cabinet 100 may include a power button 102 for controlling a powersupply, a cover connection unit 104 connected to the cover 300, and arear panel connection unit 106 connected to the rear panel 800.

The power button 102 may be provided on one side of the cabinet 100 tocontrol whether the washing machine 10 is turned on or off. The powerbutton 102 may be provided on one side of the front surface of thecabinet 100 to be easily controlled by the user. Here, in thisembodiment, the power button 102 is provided on the lower surface of thefront surface of the cabinet 100. However, the position of the powerbutton 102 is not limited thereto, and may be provided on the left orright of the front surface of the cabinet 100, for example.

The cabinet 100 may include a cover connection unit 104 connected to thecover 300. The cover connection unit 104 may correspond to an edge ofthe opened front surface of the cabinet 100 and may have a smallerdiameter than the diameter of the cover 300 so that the cover 300 is notdetached from the cabinet 100. Specifically, the cover 300 may beinserted into the cabinet 100 from the rear surface to the front surfaceside. In this case, since the diameter of the cover connection unit 104is smaller than the diameter of the cover 300, the cover 300 may befitted into the cover connection unit 104, so that the cover 300 may notbe separated from the cabinet 100.

The cabinet 100 may include a rear panel connecting unit 106 connectedto the rear panel 800. The rear panel connecting unit 106 may correspondto the opened rear edge of the cabinet 100 and may be shapedcorresponding to the shape of the rear panel 800. The cabinet 100 may bebolted to the rear panel 800 and for this purpose, a plurality of boltfastening holes may be formed in the rear panel connecting portion 106.

The door 200 may be provided on the front surface of the cabinet 100.The door 200 is used for loading and unloading laundry, and may includea door inner frame 230 and a door outer frame 240. Specifically, thedoor inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240 may be bolted with apredetermined space therebetween, and each may be provided in a circularshape having a diameter corresponding to the cover connection unit 104.In this case, the door inner frame 230 may be in contact with the coverconnection unit 104, and the door inner frame 230 and the door outerframe 240 may completely shield the cover 300 connected to the cabinet100.

The door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240 may include a doorhinge connection unit 232 for connecting with the cover 300. The doorhinge connecting unit 232 is provided at one side of the door innerframe 230 and the door outer frame 240 and may provide a space foraccommodating a door hinge 360 of the cover 300 (to be described later).

A display 202 may be provided in a space between the door inner frame230 and the door outer frame 240. The display 202 is capable ofoutputting predetermined information to the user, and is provided with afront surface exposed to the outside of the door outer frame 240. Thatis, the door outer frame 240 may include a hole (not shown) or may beformed of a transparent material so that the display 202 may be viewedfrom the outside. In this case, the display 202 may include a touchpanel capable of inputting or outputting information, and the user mayview the panel to confirm information such as the operating state viathe display 202, and also use the panel to perform operations of thewall-mounted washing machine 10 via touch interactions. For example, theuser may select a process such as laundry washing and rinsing byperforming a touch operation with respect to the display 202, andconfirm the remaining washing time, or the like, via the display 202.

The display 202 (exposed to the exterior of the door outer frame 240)and the door outer frame 240 itself may both be protected through aprotective glass 204. The protective glass 204 is transparently providedon the front surface of the door outer frame 240 so that the user mayview the display 202. In this case, the protective glass 204 may beprovided to have the same diameter as the door inner frame 230 and thedoor outer frame 240.

A hole (not shown) may be provided on one side of the protective glass204, and the door opening button 210 may be exposed to the outsidethrough the hole (not shown). The door opening button 210 may beprovided in the door outer frame 240 for opening or closing the interiorof the cabinet 100 using an electronic opening and closing system andmay be exposed to the outside through a hole of the protective glass204.

In addition, the door 200 may include a door opening unit 250 and a doorhanging unit 260. The door opening unit 250 and the door hanging unit260 may protrude rearward of the door inner frame 230 and may be incontact with and engaged with one side of the cover 300. Specifically,the door opening unit 250 serves as an opening/closing assistant and mayhave an elastic force. For example, the door opening unit 250 mayinclude a spring and may act as a support for opening the door 200through the elastic force of the spring. For example, when the door 200is closed, the door opening unit 250 may be compressed and inserted intoa groove (not shown) provided on one side of the cover 300. When theuser operates the door opening button 210 to open the door 200, the dooropening unit 250 will become released from one side of the cover 300,and will make contact with the bottom surface of the groove (not shown)provided on one side of the cover 300 in a relaxed state. That is, aspace is provided between the door 200 and the cover 300 to accommodatethe relaxed length of the door opening unit 250, thereby preventing thedoor 200 from being automatically closed.

The door opening unit 250 may be a pusher stem assembly that may besupported by the spring and located within a guide structure formed inthe door inner frame 230 or may repeatedly perform projecting by linearmovement through a predetermined stroke range.

The door hanging unit 260 may be provided at a predetermined distancefrom the door opening unit 250 and may be formed in the shape of a hookpartially protruding from the door inner frame 230. The protrudingportion of the door hanging unit 260 may be coupled to a door lock unit330 of the cover 300 to be described later, and thus the door 200 may beclosed.

In summary, the door 200 according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure may be opened through a door opening button 210. When theuser operates the door opening button 210, the door opening unit 250 andthe door hanging unit 260 may be released from the cover 300 so that thedoor 200 may open the cover 300. In this case, the door opening unit250, having an elastic force, may be relaxed and provided on one side ofthe cover 300, and thus a predetermined gap is provided between the door200 and the cover 300. Therefore, in this fashion, the door 200 may beprevented from closing.

In addition, the user may close the door 200 by applying pressure to thedoor 200 toward the cover 300 side. To this end, the user may press oneside of the outermost protective glass 204 of the door 200 so that thedoor opening unit 250 may compress and become received in the groove(not shown) of the cover 300 and the protruding portion of the doorhanging unit 260 may be coupled to the door hanging unit 330 of thecover 300. That is, the door 200 may advantageously be opened and closedwithout a separate handle.

A center side of the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240may be opened and the door glass 280 may be provided at the openedcenter side. The door glass 280 allows the user to view the laundry fromthe outside of the washing machine 10 and may be fitted to the doorinner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240. In this case, the doorglass 280 may protrude rearward, and the protruded side of the doorglass 280 may be fitted to the open side of the cover 300.

The door 200 may be rotatably connected to the cover 300. The cover 300encloses the front panel 400 and may include a laundry inlet 302 forloading the laundry, a detergent container loading port 304 for loadinga detergent container 500, and a power processing unit 306 forcontrolling the button 102.

The user may load the laundry through the laundry inlet 302. The laundryinlet 302 may have a predetermined diameter. In this case, the diameterof the laundry inlet 302 may correspond to the size of the protrudingportion of the door glass 280. Thus, when the door 200 is closed, thedoor glass 280 may block the laundry inlet 302, and when the user opensthe door 200, the door glass 280 is released from the laundry inlet 302so that it is possible to load the laundry through the laundry inlet302.

A detergent container loading port 304, which may load the detergentcontainer 500, may be provided on the upper side of the laundry inlet302. In this case, the shape of the detergent container loading port 304may correspond to the shape of the detergent container 500.

The cover 300 may have a laundry inlet 302 at its center and may have acircular shape as a whole. Further, the cover 300 may be shaped suchthat one side protrudes downward. In this case, the power processingunit 306 may be provided in a protruding portion downward. The powerprocessing unit 306 may be a PCB substrate connected to the power button102 to control whether the power is turned on or off according to theoperation of the power button 102 protruding from the outside of thecase 100.

Meanwhile, the cover 300 may include a door hanging unit 330 located ata position corresponding to the other door hanging unit 260. The doorhanging unit 330 is coupled to the hook-shaped door hanging unit 260 andmay be a groove corresponding to the shape of the door hanging unit 260.Thus, as the door hanging unit 260 is coupled to the other door hangingunit 330, so that the door 200 may close the laundry inlet 302.

Also, the cover 300 may include a door hinge 360 disposed at a locationcorresponding to the door hinge connection unit 232. The door hinge 360may be open while one side of the door 200 and one side of the cover 300are connected to each other, and in this state, the one side of the doorhinge 360 may be received in the door hinge connection unit 232.Specifically, the door hinge 360 may be formed in a shape of a longcurved panel in a vertical direction on one side of the laundry inlet302, and may be partially protruded forward such that the door 200 maybe rotated and connected to the door hinge connection unit 232. That is,the door 200 may be rotatable along the protruding portion in front ofthe door hinge 360.

A front panel 400 may be provided on the rear surface of the cover 300.The front panel 400 may be coupled to the tub 700 and may include ashield unit 410 shielding a space between the drum 600 and the tub 700,a detergent container receiving unit 420 receiving the detergentcontainer 500, a detergent container gasket 430 which is sealed at aportion coupled with the detergent container 500, a fitting 440 forsupplying water into the detergent container 500, a door gasket 450which is sealed at a portion in contact with the door 200, and a watersupply valve assembly 480 for receiving wash water from an externalwater supply source.

The shield unit 410 may shield a space located between the drum 600 andthe tub 700 and may have a shape corresponding to the cover 300. Thatis, it may have the same diameter as the cover 300 and contains anopening corresponding to the laundry inlet 302 provided on the centerside thereof. In this fashion, the opening of the shield unit 410 may besmaller than the diameter of the drum 600, so that the space between thedrum 600 and the tub 700 is shielded.

The detergent container receiving unit 420 may be provided at one sideof the shield unit 410 to receive the detergent container 500. Thedetergent container receiving unit 420 may have a shape corresponding tothe detergent container 500 and may be in communication with with thedetergent container loading port 304 of the cover 300. That is, thedetergent container 500 may be received in the detergent containerreceiving unit 420 via the detergent container loading port 304 of thecover 300.

The detergent container receiving unit 420 may include a detergentcontainer gasket 430 that is pressurized by the detergent container 500.The detergent container gasket 430 may be disposed around the end of thedetergent container receiving unit 420 to seal the detergent container500 and may be composed of a rubber or rubber type material. That is,the detergent, the conditioner, and the wash water supplied to thedetergent container 500 is prevented from leaking to the outside throughthe detergent container gasket 430.

At least one fitting 440 may be provided on the top of the detergentcontainer receiving unit 420. The fitting 440, which is connected to awater supply valve assembly 480 connected to an external water supplysource, may supply wash water into the detergent container 500. Thus,the wash water supplied to the drum 600 and the tub 700 may include thedissolved detergent or conditioner because the wash water is suppliedinto the drum 600 and the tub 700 through the detergent container 500.

The opening of the shield unit 410 may include a door gasket 450 whichis pressed by door glass 280 of the door 200. The door gasket 450 may bedisposed at the opening end of the shield unit 410 (for example, at theannular end of the opening) to hermetically fix the door glass 280, andit may be composed of a rubber material or the like. Thus, when the door200 is closed, the door glass 280 (penetrating the laundry inlet 302 ofthe cover 300) presses the door gasket 450, and therefore the wash waterinside the drum 600 and the tub 700 is prevented from leaking outsidethe door 200.

The fitting 440 may be supplied with wash water through a water supplyvalve assembly 480. The water supply valve assembly 480 may be connectedto an external water supply source and may selectively supply wash waterto the detergent container 550 through the fitting 440. The water supplyvalve assembly 480 may be a three-way valve and two of the supply flowpaths extending from the water supply valve assembly 480 may beconnected to the fitting 440 connected to the detergent container 500and one of them may supply the wash water to the drum 600 directlythrough the door gasket 450.

The detergent container 500 may accommodate detergent and conditionerand may include a detergent container handle 502, a detergent inputspace 504 in which detergent is loaded, and a conditioner input space506 in which conditioner is loaded.

The detergent container handle 502 may protrude forward and may beexposed to the outside of the cover 300. The user thus may grasp thedetergent container handle 502 after opening the door 200, allowing thedetergent container 500 to be unloaded or inserted from the detergentcontainer receiving unit 420. In this embodiment, although the detergentcontainer handle 502 is extended in the vertical direction and providedat the center of the front surface of the detergent container 500, thedetergent container handle 502 is not limited thereto. For example, thedetergent container receiving unit 420 may be extended in the horizontaldirection and provided on the front surface of the detergent container500.

The detergent container 500 may be partitioned based on the center ofthe interior and include a detergent input space 504 and a conditionerinput space 506 which may contain detergent and conditioner,respectively. In this fashion, the fitting 440 may be arranged tocorrespond to the detergent input space 504 and the conditioner inputspace 506, and the detergent and conditioner in the detergent inputspace 504 and the conditioner input space 506 may be supplied with washwater. Specifically, the user may draw the detergent container 500 fromthe detergent container receiving unit 420 after opening the door 200and may fill detergent and conditioner into the detergent input space504 and the conditioner input space 506, respectively. The detergentcontainer 500 filled with the detergent and the conditioner may beinserted again into the detergent container receiving unit 420, anddepending on the washing cycle, the detergent input space 504 and theconditioner input space 506 may be supplied with wash water.Accordingly, the wash water including detergent or conditioner may beselectively supplied to the drum 600 and the tub 700.

The front panel 400 may be connected to the drum 600. The drum 600 whichreceives the laundry may include a drum inlet 610 on the front surfaceand a spider 680 on the rear surface. In this case, a plurality of holesfor fluid communication with the tub 700 may be formed around the drum600.

A drum inlet portion 610 may correspond to the open portion of theshield unit 410. In this fashion, the drum inlet portion 610 may have adiameter smaller than the entire diameter of the drum 600, and the druminlet portion 610 may be fitted into the opened portion of the shieldunit 410, so that front panel 400 and the drum 600 may be connected toeach other. Thus, the laundry may be loaded into the drum 600 via thelaundry inlet 302 of the cover 300 and the open portion of the frontpanel 400.

The drum 600 may be rotated through a spider 680. The spider 680 mayrotate in response to a driving force from a driving motor 910 (to bedescribed later). The spider 680 may be provided separately from thedrum 600 and may be coupled to the rear surface of the drum 600. In thiscase, a groove corresponding to the shape of the spider 680 may beformed on the rear surface of the drum 600 to seat the spider 680.

The spider 680 may include a plurality of arms extending in differentdirections with a constant gap at the center. For example, the spider680 may include an arm extending in three directions by a lengthcorresponding to the radius of the drum 600, and each arm may bedisposed at a 120-degree gap. Further, the center of the spider 680 maybe fixed to a second pulley 914 (to be described later) through a drumrotation axis 916 (to be described later), and thus the drum 600,coupled to the spider 680, and the spider 680 may be rotated together.An exemplary method of rotating the drum 600 will be described later.

A tub 700 in which wash water is filled may be provided outside the drum600. The tub 700 may have a shape corresponding to the drum 600 and mayhave a diameter larger than a diameter of the drum 600 by apredetermined length. Accordingly, the tub 700 may be arranged apartfrom the drum 600 by a predetermined gap. In addition, the wash watersupplied into the tub 700 may flow into the drum 600 through a pluralityof holes formed around the drum 600. Similarly, the inner wash water ofthe drum 600 may flow into the tub 700 through the plurality of holesformed around the drum 600. In this regard, the drum 600 and the tub 700may be provided in a cylindrical shape, but are not limited thereto.

Further, the tub 700 may include a heater 702 to heat the wash water.Specifically, a groove may be formed on the inner side of the tub 700 toreceive the heater 702, and a heater 702 may be provided on the innerside of the tub 700 in a detachable manner. Thus, the heater 702 mayheat the wash water filled in the tub 700.

The tub 700 may be integrally provided with a rear panel 800. The rearpanel 800 may be mounted on a wall and may include: an anchor connectionunit 802 to which an anchor (for connection to the wall) is affixed; acabinet fixing unit 804 for fixing the cabinet 100; and a sensor 806 fordetecting the water level.

Specifically, the tub 700 and the rear panel 800 may be integrallyinjection molded, and the tub 700 may protrude from the front of therear panel 800. The rear surface of the rear panel 800 may be mounted onthe wall via a separate anchor. The anchor may be coupled to the wallthrough an anchor connection unit 802 and may be provided on the rearsurface of the rear panel 800 for stable engagement. That is, theplurality of anchors may mount the rear panel 800 on the wall. In thiscase, since the tub 700 and the rear panel 800 are integrally provided,a separate damper or an elastic member for supporting the tub 700 is notrequired. Consequently, the number of parts may be reduced, and the sizeof the washing machine 10 may be likewise reduced.

The cabinet 100 may be coupled to the front surface of the rear panel800 where the tub 700 is provided to enclose the tub 700. In this case,a cabinet fixing unit 804 may have a stepped shape along the peripheryof the rear panel 800, and the cabinet 100 may be fixed to the cabinetfixing unit 804. For this purpose, a fastening member such as a bolt maybe used.

Also, the rear panel 800 may include a control unit 810 for controllingthe overall functions of the wall mounted washing machine 10 and a drainunit 820 for discharging the wash water filled in the tub 700.

The control unit 810 may be provided on the front surface of the rearpanel 800 to control various components of the wall mounted washingmachine 10 depending on a user's operation to perform laundry washing.In this embodiment, while the control unit 810 is shown on the rightside of the respect to tub 700, the position of the control unit 810 isnot limited thereto.

A power supply line 904 may be connected to the external power source tosupply power to the electric equipment, the control unit 810, thedriving motor 910, and the like described above. The power supply line904 may extend through the rear panel 800 to the front of the rear panel800 and may extend outwardly from the rear of the rear panel 800. Inthis case, the power supply line 904 may be fixed to the rear surface ofthe rear panel 800 through a separate fixing means. As the power supplyline 904 is provided extending outwardly from the rear surface of therear panel 800, the washing machine 10 may have a finished or pleasingappearance.

The drain unit 820 may be provided under the rear panel 800. The drainunit 820 may discharge the wash water inside the tub 700 to the outsideand may be disposed on the lower surface of the front surface of therear panel 800. In this case, the drain unit 820 may include a drainpump for pressurizing the wash water and may be connected to the drainhose 902 to discharge the wash water. Specifically, the drain hose 902is connected to the drain unit 820 and extends outward along the rearsurface of the rear panel 800, so that the wash water may flow throughthe pressure of the drain unit 820. Thus, when the drain unit 820 isoperated after the washing process is completed, the wash water may bedischarged to the outside of the cabinet 100 through the drain hose 902due to the pressure change of the drain unit 820.

The rear panel 800 may include a driving motor 910 for transmitting adriving force to the rear panel 800, a first pulley 912 and a secondpulley 914 connected to the driving motor 910, a drum rotational shaft916 connected to the second pulley 914 to rotate the drum 600, and abelt 918 that connects the first pulley 912 and the second pulley 914.

Specifically, the driving motor 910 may be provided on the front surfaceof the rear panel 800. The driving motor 910 may be controlled by thecontrol unit 810 and may be provided on one side of the control unit 810and the drain unit 820.

Also, the driving motor 910 may be connected to the first pulley 912. Inthis case, the shaft (not shown) of the driving motor 910 may beprovided through the rear panel 800 and may be connected with a shaft(not shown) of the driving motor 910 to the first pulley 912 at the rearsurface of the rear panel 800.

The first pulley 912 may be connected to the second pulley 914 via abelt 918. The second pulley 914 may be provided to surround the drumrotation shaft 916 connected to the spider 680 and the drum rotationaxis 916 may penetrate the rear panel 800 while being connected to thespider 680. That is, the second pulley 914 and the drum rotation shaft916 may be connected to each other at the rear surface of the rear panel800.

In summary, when the wash water is filled in the tub 700 through thefitting 440, the control unit 810 may operate the driving motor 910.Subsequently, the first pulley 912 connected to the driving motor 910may be rotated, and the second pulley 914 may be then rotated by therotation of the first pulley 912. Thus, the drum rotation shaft 916connected to the second pulley 914 may also rotate so that the drum 600may be rotated inside the cabinet 100 and the tub 700. Consequently, thelaundry inside the drum 600 may be washed.

On the other hand, the rear panel 800 may further include an exhaustline 920. The exhaust line 920 may be connected to the drain unit 820and may exhaust air inside the tub 700 and the drain unit 820.Specifically, the exhaust line 920 may be connected to the drain hose902 and pass through the rear panel 800, through which it may extend tothe rear surface of the rear panel 800 and be exhausted to the outside.

The wall-mounted washing machine 10 according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure may be used as follows.

First, the user may open the door 200, and may load the laundry insidethe drum 600 and unload the detergent container 500 from the front panel400. In this case, the detergent container 500 is divided in the center,so that a space for loading detergent and conditioner, respectively, maybe provided.

After inserting the detergent container 500 loaded with the detergentand conditioner back into the front panel 400, the user may close thedoor 200 and control the laundry operation via the power button 102 andthe display 202. When the washing cycle is started, the wash waterprovided from an external water source through the water supply valveassembly 480 may be supplied to the detergent container 500 through thefitting 440, and the wash water may be supplied into the drum 600 andtub 700 after passing the detergent input space 504 and the conditionerinput space 506. That is, the wash water filled in the drum 600 and thetub 700 may optionally include detergent and conditioner.

When the tub 700 is fully filed with the wash water, the control unit810 may drive the driving motor 910. In this case, the driving motor 910may be connected to the first pulley 912 and the second pulley 914, andthe second pulley 914 may be connected to the drum 600 through the drumrotation shaft 916. Thus, the drum 600 may be rotated through thedriving motor 910. Consequently, the laundry loaded in the drum 600 maybe effectively washed by the rotation of the drum 600.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the front panel of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is anexploded perspective view of the front panel shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7is a front view enlarging a state in which a water supply valve assemblyis installed on the front panel of FIG. 6. Further, FIG. 8 is a rearperspective view of the water supply valve assembly shown in FIG. 7,FIG. 9 is a front view of the valve body of the water supply valveassembly of FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a rear view of the valve body of FIG.9. In addition, FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the watersupply valve assembly shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 12 is a perspective viewof the single bracket shown in FIG. 11. Also, FIG. 13 is a front view inwhich a first control valve is coupled to the single bracket shown inFIG. 12, and FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view for describing valveoperations of a water supply valve assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 14, the front panel 400 includes a fitting 440and a water supply valve assembly 480 as structural features to minimizewater leakage and a supply water line structure supplied through thepipes 20, 21, 22, and 23

Referring to FIG. 5, the wall-mounted type washing machine and watersupply fittings thereof according to the present embodiment may improvethe coupling method of inserting the end of the water hose into the hoseconnection by force to join them.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the pipes 21, 22 to beconnected to a fitting 440 may not be overly bent due to the fitting 440having an elbow shape. Further, a bending force, which is generated byrunning the folded or bent pipes 21, 22, helps to prevent the joints ofthe pipes 21, 22 from being biased to the left side or the right siderelative to the fitting 440.

First, a water inlet pipe 20 is connected to a water inlet side of thewater supply valve assembly 480.

The pipes 21, 22 and 23 are used for sending water to a plurality ofplaces are connected at the water outlet side of the water supply valveassembly 480.

For example, the pipes 21, 22 and 23, which are coupled through thefitting 440, that is, the first fitting 441 or the second fitting 442,may be any one of a tube, a pipe, and a hose.

The first fitting 441 serves to supply the fluid, such as water or washwater fed through one-side of a pipe of the water supply valve assembly480, for example the first pipe 21, then to the conditioner input space504 of the detergent container 500.

The second fitting 442 serves to supply the fluid, such as water or washwater fed through the other-side of a pipe of the water supply valveassembly 480, for example the second pipe 22, to the conditioner inputspace 504 of the detergent container 500.

The pipes 21, 22, and 23 may be formed of a flexible material or a softplastic material capable of bending deformations.

Further, the first pipe 21 interconnects a first water outlet unit 4871of a valve body 4880 of the water supply valve assembly 480 and thefirst fitting 441 of the detergent container receiving unit 420.

Further, the second pipe 22 interconnects a second water outlet unit4872 of the valve body 4880 and the second fitting 442 of the detergentcontainer receiving unit 420.

Further, the third pipe 23 interconnects a third water outlet unit 4873of the valve body 4880 and a water jet nozzle 4860 of the front panel400.

The water jet nozzle 4860 directly discharges the water toward theinside space of the drum 600 or the laundry inside the drum 600.

To this end, the water jet nozzle 4860 may be installed in a nozzlemounting hole arranged in the opening 460 (see FIG. 6) of the frontpanel 400 and the door gasket 450. In this case, the nozzle hole of thewater jet nozzle 4860 through which the water is discharged passesthrough the body of the door gasket 450 with respect to the insideposition of the opening 460 of the front panel 400, and is open towardthe inner space of the drum 300.

In addition, the water supply valve assembly 480 is provided on thefront panel 400 to efficiently utilize the space for installing partsinside the washing machine.

To this end, the front panel 400 includes an extension 411 integrallyformed on the lower side of the front panel 400 to install the watersupply valve assembly 480.

The extension 411 is integrally formed on the left corner of the frontpanel 400 at the lower corner of the front panel 400.

For example, the extension 411 includes a base plate 412 extending fromthe side surface of the front panel 400 and a base wall 413 extendingalong the outer periphery of the base plate 412, as shown in FIG. 7.

Further, the extension 411 includes a plate reinforcing rib 414 thatconnects the base wall 413 to each other and protrudes from the baseplate 412.

Moreover, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the extension 411 includes aplurality of supports 415 protruding from the extension 411 with respectto the base plate 412, the base wall 413 and the plate reinforcing rib414.

The extension 411 may be integrally formed with the base plate 412, thebase wall 413, the plate reinforcing ribs 414, and the support 415during injection molding of the front panel 400, for instance.

In addition, the bolt holes are formed in each end of the support 415 sothat the water supply valve assembly 480 may be detached in a boltedmanner. Herein, the bolt holes of the support 415 are formed at the endsof the support 415 toward the water supply valve assembly 480,respectively.

In addition, the support 415 of the extension 411 is spaced apart fromthe base plate 412 or the plate reinforcing ribs 414 such that the watersupply valve assembly 480 may be disposed in an oblique direction withrespect to the front surface of the front panel 400 in the extension411.

The water supply valve assembly 480 includes a supporting leg 4850fastened to each of the bolt holes of the support 415.

The supporting leg 4850 protrudes from the outer side of the valve body4880 of the water supply valve assembly 480 to cover the upper end ofthe support 415.

The number and arrangement of the supporting legs 4850 of the watersupply valve assembly 480 may be determined corresponding to the numberand arrangement of the supports 415.

In addition, the support 415 has a protruding height that allows thewater supply valve assembly 480 to be spaced from the base plate 412 orthe plate reinforcing rib 414.

The support 415 may include a support base 415 a integrally formed withthe base plate 412 or the plate reinforcing rib 414; and a supportextension 415 b having a small diameter relative to the support base 415a and thus a step difference, and protruding from the support base 415 atoward the water supply valve assembly 480. Herein, the bolt hole of thesupport 415 refers to a bolt hole formed at the end of the supportextension 415 b.

The mounting bolts of the water supply valve assembly 480 may passthrough the holes of the supporting legs 4850 of the water supply valveassembly 480 and then screwed into the bolt holes formed in the end ofthe support extension 415 b, which allows the valve assembly 480 to bedetachably secured to the support 415.

Thus, the fixed water supply valve assembly 480 is disposed along theupward slanting direction from the extension 411 with respect to thehorizontal direction of the front surface of the front panel 400. As aresult, it is possible to remove the inner surface and the interferenceof the cabinet 100, and the space for installing the parts inside thewashing machine may be utilized efficiently.

As described above, the front panel 400 includes the extension 411formed on the lower side of the extension 411 and a detergent containerreceiving unit 420 formed on the top relative to the extension 411 or onthe upper portion of the front panel 400 to receive the detergentcontainer 500,

The detergent container 500 may be detachably coupled to the detergentcontainer receiving unit 420 in an insertion manner or a sliding manner.

Herein, the front surface and the rear surface of the detergentcontainer receiving unit 420 are open along the direction in which thedetergent container 500 is advanced or fastened.

In addition, the detergent container 500 includes a detergent inputspace 504 and a conditioner input space 506 divided with respect to adiagonal partition to accommodate detergent and conditioner.

The detergent container receiving unit 420 includes a first fittingmounting unit 421 protruding from one side of the upper surface of thedetergent container receiving unit 420 with respect to the positionwhere water is supplied to the detergent input space 504.

Further, the detergent container receiving unit 420 includes a secondfitting mounting unit 422 protruding from the other side of the uppersurface of the detergent container receiving unit 420 with respect tothe position where the water is supplied to the conditioner input space506.

The first fitting mounting unit 421 and the second fitting mounting unit422 may support the first fitting 441 or the second fitting 442, e.g.,fixing them by friction, and preventing leakage from occurring insidethe washing machine.

The first fitting mounting unit 421 and the second fitting mounting unit422 are provided with fitting holes 423 and 424 formed thereon.

The first fitting 441 or the second fitting 442 correspond to thefitting of the pipes 21 and 22 for supplying water and may be coupled tothe fitting holes 423 and 424.

The fitting holes 423 and 424 vertically extend from the center of eachof the first fitting mounting unit 421 and the second fitting mountingunit 422 to allow the water to flow through the upper surface of thedetergent container receiving unit 420.

In addition, the first fitting 441 or the second fitting 442 may be anelbow type pipe member which is coupled between the end of the pipes 21and 22 and the fitting holes 423 and 424.

Each of the first fitting 441 and the second fitting 442 includes a pipefastening unit 443 coupled with each end of the pipes 21 and 22 and ahorizontal hollow portion 444 penetrating the pipe fastening unit, and avertical hollow portion 445 through-connected to the horizontal hollowportion 444 and inserted into the corresponding fitting holes 423 and424.

In this case, an O-ring mounting groove 446 is formed on the outerperipheral surface of the vertical hollow portion 445 of each fitting441 and 442.

Each of the fittings 441 and 442 includes an O-ring 447. The O-ring 447may be coupled to the O-ring mounting groove 446 to eliminate any gapbetween the inner peripheral surface of the fitting holes 423 and 424and the outer peripheral surface of the vertical hollow portion 445 ofeach fitting 441 and 442, thereby improving fixing performance andimproving the water tight seal.

The fittings 441 and 442 do not easily move in the vertical directiondue to friction forces between the 0-ring 447 and the fitting holes 423and 424.

Further, each of the fittings 441 and 442 has the same level as a bottomend of the vertical hollow portion 445 of each of the fittings 441 and442 and a bottom end of the fitting holes 423 and 424. Thus, when thedetergent container 500 is inserted into the detergent containerreceiving unit 420, the detergent container 500 and the fittings 441 and442 will not interfere with each other.

A fluid such as water or wash water from an external water source may beintroduced or fed into the water inlet pipe 20 and water supply valveassembly 480 by the fluid pressure of the external water supplyingsource.

The fluid may then flow through the various pipes 21, 22 and 23 at thewater outlet side of the water supply valve assembly 480 under fluidpressure.

Since the water supply valve assembly 480 is supported on the support415 and spaced apart from the extension 411, it is very easy to install,check the state of the installation, and maintain the water supply valveassembly 480.

Each of the control valves 4810 may be a plurality of solenoid valves orelectromagnetic valves electrically connected to the control unit 810 ofFIG. 4 and installed in the water supply valve assembly 480.

That is, each of the control valves 4810 may be installed on fluid pathsrequired for the supply of or interruption of water in the fluid path inthe washing machine. For example, each of the control valves 4810 may beintegrated with the water supply valve assembly 480 with respect to thefluid path.

Referring to FIG. 15 according to an exemplary application of thepresent disclosure, the wall mounted washing machine includes a rearpanel 800 mounted on a wall (not shown), a tub 700 supported by the rearpanel 800 and operable to be filled with the wash water, and a controlunit (810) installed outside the tub 700. Further, the wall mountedwashing machine includes a front panel 400 provided with an opening 460and installed in the tub 700, and a drum 600 rotatably installed in thetub 700.

In particular, the wall mounted washing machine according to theexemplary application of the present disclosure includes a drying unit790 installed outside the tub 700 and for supplying air into the drum600.

The drying unit 790 includes a drying duct 791 corresponding to an airpassage.

Here, the water supply valve assembly 480 is installed at the frontpanel 400 with respect to the inner lower space of the cabinet 100, forinstance, and at least one of the tub 700, the drum 600 and the dryingunit 790 may selectively supply the water.

The water supply valve assembly 480 further includes a pipe coupler 4890connecting the water inlet side of the valve body 4880 and the waterinlet pipe 20 to flow the water.

Moreover, the pipe coupler 4890 may be connected to the water inletportion 4874 corresponding to the water inlet side of the valve body4880.

The water supply valve assembly 480 may be a three-way valve thatdischarges water or wash water from the water inlet 4874 through threewater outlet units.

In addition, the pipe coupler 4890 may be a quick coupling pipe memberfor precisely connecting tubes, pipes, hoses, and the like.

The pipe coupler 4890 includes a coupler fixing unit 4891 protrudingfrom the surface of the pipe coupler 4890 to be fixed to the extension411 of the lower side of the front panel 400 by a bolt. Herein, a boltfastening hole is formed in the coupler fixing unit 4891.

Thus, the pipe coupler 4890 and the water inlet pipe 20 connectedthereto may be securely mounted to the extension 411 of the front panel400 through the coupler fixing unit 4891.

Referring to FIG. 7, the control valve 4810 collectively includes afirst control valve 4811, a second control valve 4812, and a thirdcontrol valve 4813.

The first control valve 4811 is responsible for supplying or blockingwater to the detergent input space 504 of the detergent container 500.

The second control valve 4812 is responsible for supplying or blockingwater to the conditioner input space 506 of the detergent container 500.

The third control valve 4813 is responsible for supplying or blockingwater to/from the water jet nozzle 4860 installed at the opening 460 ofthe front panel 400 or for supplying or blocking water to/from thedrying duct 791 of the drying unit 790.

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, the water supply valve assembly 480 includesa valve body 4880.

The valve body 4880 is coupled and installed to the support 415 by abolt to be supported on the support 415 described above.

The role of the valve body 4880 serves to allow the water supplied tothe water supply valve assembly 480 to be provided to various places,including: to the detergent input space 504 of the detergent container500; or to the divided conditioner input space 506 from the detergentinput space 504 as shown in FIG. 7; or to the water jet nozzle 4860installed at the opening 460 of the front panel 400; or to the dryingduct 791 of the drying unit 790 as shown in FIG. 15.

To this end, the valve body 4880 includes a plurality of fluid paths4881, 4883, 4885, 4887, 4888 and 4889 integrally formed for controllingwater supply or water flow, and a plurality of valve housings 4882, 4884and 4886 through-connected to the fluid paths 4881, 4883, 4885, 4887,4888 and 4889.

For example, the valve body 4880 of the water supply valve assembly 480includes a first fluid path 4881 connected to a first water outlet unit4871 of the first water outlet unit 4880, for a flow of water to besupplied to the detergent input space 504 of the detergent container500, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10.

Further, the valve body 4880 includes a first valve housing 4882connected to the first fluid path 4881 for the flow of water andinstalled with a first control valve 4811.

The fluid path of the valve body 4880 includes a second fluid path 4883connected to the second water outlet unit 4872 at one side of the valvebody 4880 for the flow of water to be supplied to the conditioner inputspace 506 of the detergent container 500.

Further, the valve body 4880 includes a second valve housing 4884connected to a second fluid path 4883 for the flow of water and mountedwith a second control valve 4812.

Further, the valve body 4880 includes a third fluid path 4885 connectedto a third water outlet unit 4873 on the other side of the valve body4880 for the flow of water.

Further, the valve body 4880 includes a third valve housing 4886connected to a third fluid path 4885 for the flow of water and mountedwith the third control valve 4813.

Further, the valve body 4880 includes a fourth fluid path 4887 connectedbetween the first valve housing 4882 and the second valve housing 4884along the extension direction of the first fluid path 4881.

Further, the valve body 4880 includes a fifth fluid path 4888 connectedbetween the second valve housing 4884 and the third valve housing 4886along the extension direction of the second fluid path 4883.

Further, the valve body 4880 includes a sixth fluid path 4889 connectedbetween the second valve housing 4884 and the water inlet portion 4874of the valve body 4880 along the same direction as the extendingdirection of the first fluid path 4881.

The side portions of the respective valve housings 4882, 4884 and 4886may be formed with flow path passage holes (not shown) forinterconnecting the corresponding valve housings 4882, 4884 and 4886 andfluid paths 4881, 4883, 4885, 4887, 4888 and 4889.

In addition, the valve housings 4882, 4884 and 4886 are arranged in avertical or horizontal direction with respect to the front surface ofthe valve body 4880. For example, in order to arrange the valve housings4882, 4884 and 4886, the valve body 4880 extends in a horizontaldirection with a portion of valve body 4880 with respect to the frontsurface of valve body 4880, and the other portion of the valve body 4880may extend in a vertical direction from an end of a part of the valvebody 4880.

Referring to FIG. 11, the control valve 4810 includes a valve unit 4814inserted into the opening region of any one of the valve housings 4882,4884, and 4886 each corresponding to the first control valve 4811, thesecond control valve 4812, and the third control valve 4813.

Further, the control valve 4810 has a coil unit (not shown) to operate avalve unit 4814 each corresponding to each of the first control valve4811, the second control valve 4812 and the third control valve 4813(for example, valve opening or valve closing), and a terminal unit 4815for applying power or a signal to the coil unit.

The terminal unit 4815 is connected to the control unit 810 of FIG. 4through a connector and an electric wire.

In addition, the control valve 4810 includes a plurality of brackets4830 and 4840 coupled to walls 4870 and 4876 of the valve housings 4882,4884 and 4886 corresponding to the outer periphery of the opening areato close the opening areas of the valve housings 4882, 4884 and 4876.

The valve body 4880 includes a bolt coupling unit 4875 formed on thewalls 4870 and 4876 of any one of the first valve housing 4882, thesecond valve housing 4884 and the third valve housing 4886 to be coupledto the bolts of the brackets 4830 and 4840,

Referring concurrently to FIG. 9 or FIG. 11, the valve body 4880includes a connecting rib 4877 formed between a wall 4870 of any one ofthe first valve housing 4882, the second valve housing 4884 and thethird valve housing 4886 and a wall 4876 of the other one.

Thus, the valve body 4880 may be a rigid structure that minimizesstructural deformation by the walls 4870 and 4876 and the connecting rib4877.

The control valve 4810 is mounted to the brackets 4830 and 4840 in asingle-mount or a double-mount manner. That is, the brackets 4830 and4840 include a bracket 4830 of a single mounting type in which thecontrol valve 4810 is mounted in a single number, and the bracket 4840of a double mounting type in which a control valve 4810 is mounted in aplurality of members (for example, two).

For example, the first control valve 4811 is mounted on the bracket 4830of the single mounting type.

In addition, the second control valve 4812 and the third control valve4813 are mounted on the bracket 4840 of the double mounting type.

To facilitate understanding, the description will be made of the firstcontrol valve 4811 and the brackets 4830 and 4840 with respect to thebracket 4830 of the single mounting type.

For example, the bracket 4830 shown in FIG. 12 has an extension plate4831 having an extension length corresponding to the height of the coilunit of the first control valve 4811 shown in FIG. 11.

Further, the bracket 4830 has a bracket plate 4832 bent at one end ofthe extension plate 4831 to be perpendicular to the extension plate4831, and having a plurality of holes coinciding with a bolt hole of thebolt coupling unit 4875 and a center groove coinciding with the valveshaft of the first control valve 4811.

The bracket 4830 also includes a circular support plate 4833 bent at theother end of the extension plate 4831 to be parallel to the bracketplate 4832 and having a relatively small area as compared with thebracket plate 4832.

In this case, the support plate 4833 includes a plurality of seatinggrooves 4834 formed at an edge of the support plate 4883 and spacedapart along the edge to seat an elastic protrusion 4816 of the terminalunit 4815 provided in the first control valve 4811.

As shown in FIG. 13, the user may rotate the first control valve 4811and the terminal unit 4815 from the bracket 4830 (as denoted by “R”).According to this rotation R, the elastic protrusion 4816 of theterminal unit 4815 may be seated in the seating groove 4834 at anotherposition in the existing position. That is, since the direction of thecontact metal end of the terminal unit 4815 may be changed, in order tointerconnect the connector 811 at the end of the wire from theabove-mentioned control unit 810 and the metal contact of the terminalunit 4815 as mentioned above, the approach direction of the connector811 may be changed in compliance with the user's request (e. g.rotation). As a result, the performance of the washing machine may beincreased.

Hereinafter, a method of operating the water supply valve assembly 480will be described.

Referring to FIG. 14, the control unit 810 of FIG. 4 may allow the waterintroduced through the pipe coupler 4890 (as denoted by W/I (Water In))to flow out toward each destination (as denoted by W/O (Water Out)) byselectively opening or closing a valve unit or at least one valve unitof the first control valve 4811, the second control valve 4812 and thethird control valve 4813.

The control unit 810 controls the operations of the first control valve4811, the second control valve 4812 and the third control valve 4813 toselectively perform a water supply operation each corresponding to apredetermined water supply process, a water directing process, a washingprocess, a rinsing process and a drying process.

In response to the operations of the first control valve 4811, thesecond control valve 4812 and the third control valve 4813, the water(W/I) may flow out (W/O) toward the pipes 21, 22 and 23 of thecorresponding water outlet unit 4871, 4872 and 473.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view for explaining the inside of a washingmachine having a drying unit according to an exemplary application ofthe present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 15, an exemplary application of the present disclosuremay change a water supply destination while using the water supply valveassembly 480.

For example, the water supply valve assembly 480 includes a branch pipe30 for receiving the water exiting from the valve body 4880, anddividing and discharging the flow of water into a plurality of portions.

The branch pipe 30 is opened in three directions interconnected with oneanother and includes an inlet 31, a first outlet 32 and a second outlet33 formed at a lower portion or an upper portion of the branch pipe 30,wherein the inlet 31 receives water from the water supply valve assembly480. Further, the first outlet 32 is formed in the branch pipe 30 withrespect to one side of the opposite side of the inlet 31, and the secondoutlet 33 is formed in the branch pipe 30 with respect to the other sideof the opposite side of the inlet 31.

According to the exemplary application of the present disclosure, thevarious pipes 21, 22 and 23 described in this embodiment, or the variousconnection pipes 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 to be described below may havedifferent colors to distinguish the paths of water.

In addition, the pipes 21, 22, and 23 and the extensions 41, 42, 43, 44,and 45 include respective name tags provided on their outside, therebyincreasing the accuracy of a component assembly and/or minimizingassembly errors.

Moreover, the pipes 21, 22 and 23 and the connection pipes 41, 42, 43,44 and 45 include a name tag provided on the outside thereof, therebyimproving the accuracy of component assembly.

According to the exemplary application of the present disclosure, thewater supply valve assembly 480 includes a first connection pipe 41 forinterconnecting the first water outlet unit 4871 of the valve body 4880and the inlet 31 of the branch pipe 30.

Further, the water supply valve assembly 480 includes a secondconnection pipe 42 for interconnecting the first outlet 32 of the branchpipe 30 and the first fitting 441 of the detergent container receivingunit 420.

Further, the water supply valve assembly 480 includes a third connectionpipe 43 for interconnecting the second outlet 33 of the branch pipe 30and the water jet nozzle 4860 of the front panel 400.

The water delivered through the first connection pipe 41 to the watersupply valve assembly 480 may be branched at the branch pipe 30 so thatsimultaneous water supply may be performed at the first fitting 441 andthe water jet nozzle 4860.

In addition, the water supply valve assembly 480 may include a fourthconnection 420 for interconnecting the second water outlet unit 4872 ofthe valve body 4880 and the second fitting 442 of the detergentcontainer receiving unit 420, Consequently, an individual water supplymay be made for the conditioner input space of the detergent container500 through the second fitting 442.

Further, the water supply valve assembly 480 includes a fifth connectionpipe 45 for interconnecting the third water outlet unit 4873 of thevalve body 4880 and the water supply nozzle 792 of the drying duct 791of the drying unit 790.

Accordingly, the individual water supply to the internal space of thedrying duct 791 may occur through the water supply nozzle 792.

The water flowing into the interior space of the drying duct 791 meetsthe internal flow air of the drying duct 791 of the drying unit 790. Atthat time, the inside air of the drying duct 791 and the inflow waterare mutually heat exchanged.

The humidity of the inside air of the drying duct 791 becomes condensedwater through heat exchange. Thereafter, the condensed water moves alongthe surface of the drying duct 791, and then is discharged to theoutside through the drain portion of the drying duct 791. On the otherhand, the internal dry air of the drying duct 791 with moisture removedmay be supplied to the inside of the drum 600, and thus the laundryinside the drum 600 may be efficiently dried.

The wall-mounted washing machine and the water supply fittings thereofaccording to the embodiments of the present disclosure are advantageousin that the connections between the pipes which supply the water and thecorresponding fittings may be made very easily and precisely.

Further, there is an advantage that space located between the cabinet(corresponding to an external component of the washing machine) and theinternal components of the washing machine may be efficiently used.

Further, there is an advantage that various functions of the washingmachine (for example, a drying function, a function of spraying waterdirectly to laundry, etc.) may be easily added or extended.

In addition, there is an advantage installation of pipes and fittingsmay be performed very easily that are required to accommodate newfunctionality of the washing machine in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea ofthe present disclosure and various changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the essential characteristics of the presentdisclosure. Therefore, the embodiments described in the presentdisclosure are not intended to limit the scope of the presentdisclosure, but are intended to illustrate and not limit the scope ofthe present disclosure. The scope of protection of the presentdisclosure should be construed according to the following claims, andall technical ideas which are equivalent or equivalent thereto should beinterpreted as being included in the scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wall mounted washing machine, comprising: a tubsupported on a rear panel operable to be mounted on a wall, wherein thetub is operable to be filled with wash water; a front panel mounted onthe tub and comprising a detergent container receiving unit disposedthereon; a water supply valve assembly disposed on the front panel andoperable to control a supply of water; fittings coupled between pipesextending from the water supply valve assembly and the detergentcontainer receiving unit; and a detergent container accommodated in thedetergent container receiving unit.
 2. The wall mounted washing machineof claim 1, wherein the fittings comprise: a first fitting for supplyinga fluid fed through a first pipe of the water supply valve assembly to adetergent input space of the detergent container; and a second fittingfor supplying a fluid fed through a second pipe of the water supplyvalve assembly to the detergent input space of the detergent container.3. The wall mounted washing machine of claim 2, wherein the water supplyvalve assembly comprises: a valve body installed on an extension of thefront panel and having a plurality of fluid paths and a plurality ofvalve housings; control valves installed in respective valve housings ofsaid plurality of valve housings; and a plurality of brackets coupled towalls of the valve housings, wherein each of the control valves isrespectively mounted on each bracket of said plurality of brackets. 4.The wall mounted washing machine of claim 3, wherein the valve bodycomprises: bolt coupling units formed on walls of the plurality of valvehousings and wherein said bolt coupling units are operable to be coupledto bolts of the plurality of brackets.
 5. The wall mounted washingmachine of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of brackets comprises:an extension plate having an extension length corresponding to a heightof a coil unit of the control valve; a bracket plate bent at one end ofthe extension plate to be perpendicular to the extension plate, andhaving a plurality of holes coinciding with bolt holes of the boltcoupling units and a center groove coinciding with a valve shaft of thecontrol valve; and a circular support plate bent at the other end of theextension plate to be parallel to the bracket plate and having a smallerarea as compared with the bracket plate.
 6. The wall mounted washingmachine of claim 5, wherein each bracket of said plurality of bracketscomprises a bracket type selected from the set comprising: a singlemounting type in which the control valve is mounted with a singlemember; and a double mounting type in which the control valve is mountedwith a plurality of members.
 7. The wall mounted washing machine ofclaim 5, wherein the circular support plate comprises: an edge; and aplurality of seating grooves formed at the edge and spaced apart alongthe edge and operable to seat an elastic protrusion of a terminal unitof the control valve.
 8. A wall mounted washing machine, comprising: atub supported on a rear panel, the tub operable to contain wash water; afront panel mounted on the tub and having an detergent containerreceiving unit formed thereon; a drum rotatably installed in the tub; acover disposed on the front panel to shield a front surface of the frontpanel; a door rotatably coupled with respect to the cover to selectivelyopen and close a laundry inlet of the cover; a water supply valveassembly disposed on the front panel to control a supply of water; andfittings installed in the detergent container receiving unit andconnected to pipes extending from the water supply valve assembly. 9.The wall mounted washing machine of claim 8, wherein the fittingscomprise elbow type pipe members which are coupled between ends of thepipes and fitting holes.
 10. The wall mounted washing machine of claim8, wherein the detergent container receiving unit is formed on an upperportion of the front panel and detachably accommodates a detergentcontainer.
 11. The wall mounted washing machine of claim 10, wherein thedetergent container comprises a detergent input space and a conditionerinput space divided with respect to a diagonal partition wherein saiddetergent input space and said conditioner input space are operable toaccommodate detergent and conditioner, respectively.
 12. In a wallmounted washing machine comprising a tub supported on a rear paneloperable to be mounted on a wall; a front panel mounted on the tub andhaving a detergent container receiving unit formed thereon; a watersupply valve assembly disposed on the front panel to control a supply ofwater; and a detergent container accommodated in the detergent containerreceiving unit, mechanisms comprising: fittings coupled between pipesextending from the water supply valve assembly and the detergentcontainer receiving unit; wherein the fittings are configured toindividually supply water for each of a detergent input space and aconditioner input space in the detergent container.
 13. The wall mountedwashing machine of claim 12, wherein the detergent container receivingunit comprises: a first fitting mounting unit protruding from one sideof an upper surface of the detergent container receiving unit withrespect to a position for supplying water to the detergent input space;and a second fitting mounting unit protruding from the other side of theupper surface of the detergent container receiving unit with respect toa position for supplying water to the conditioner input space.
 14. Thewall mounted washing machine of claim 13, wherein the first fittingmounting unit and the second fitting mounting unit comprises: fittingholes to which the fittings of the pipes are respectively coupled. 15.The wall mounted washing machine of claim 14, wherein each of thefittings comprises: a pipe fastening unit for coupling with each end ofa pipe; a horizontal hollow portion penetrating the pipe fastening unit;and a vertical hollow portion through-connected to the horizontal hollowportion and operable to be inserted into a corresponding fitting hole.16. The wall mounted washing machine of claim 15, wherein the verticalhollow portion of the fitting comprises an 0-ring mounting groove whichis formed on an outer peripheral surface of the vertical hollow portion17. The wall mounted washing machine of claim 16, wherein each fittingincludes an O-ring coupled to the O-ring mounting groove.
 18. The wallmounted washing machine of claim 15, wherein each fitting has a samebottom level as a bottom end of the vertical hollow portion of thefitting and a bottom end of the fitting holes.
 19. The wall mountedwashing machine of claim 12, wherein the pipes coupled to the fittingshave different colors to distinguish the water paths therethrough.